47 Best Pink Floyd Songs Ever

“Echoes” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1971

True to their nature of experimenting with different formats and sounds, “Echoes” is a twenty-three-and-a-half minute song that takes up the entire second side of Pink Floyd’s sixth album, Meddle.

The song winds through several different sounds and styles, from experimental instrumentation to funky, guitar-driven riffs. Despite the fact it was too long to be radio-friendly, die-hard Pink Floyd fans consider the song one of the band’s best.

“Have a Cigar” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1975

“Have a Cigar” is one of only a few Pink Floyd songs featuring lead vocals from a non-band member. English singer Roy Harper sings on the rock track that appears on the album Wish You Were Here. 

Roger Waters wrote the song with a cynical look at the music industry, where record executives push bands to churn out hits so they can ride the gravy train. They are full of praise until they get what they want from you, then you are disposable. 

“Interstellar Overdrive” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1967

From their debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, “Interstellar Overdrive” set the tone for what Pink Floyd was all about. The instrumental is a fusion of psychedelic, prog, and what would become known as space rock.

The track features the talents of Syd Barrett on guitar. It has jazz elements and features a nearly 10-minute freestyle of experimental instrumentation that takes you on a trip through the great unknown.

“Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1973

“Brain Damage” is a beautiful, soulful song about suffering in one’s madness. One cannot help but feel this is another track inspired by ex-bandmate Syd Barrett’s slip into dementia.

The “lunatic in my head” paints the picture of the mental and emotional suffering one goes through when things are not quite right. A lobotomy does not fix you; it changes you into somebody else. Then you are left behind, forgotten, while they throw away the key.

“Hey You” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1979

“Hey You” is from Pink Floyd’s concept album, The Wall. It was one of two songs from the record to be cut from the accompanying film. The track was the B-side to the single release of “Comfortably Numb.”

When you put up a wall to isolate yourself from society, sometimes it is difficult to reconnect with people. The repeating ‘Hey you’ is a plea for someone to notice him, to reach out and touch him.

“Astronomy Dominé” by Pink Floyd 

Song Year: 1967

The opening track from Pink Floyd’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, is a trippy voyage through space, complete with the chanting of the names of the planets.

The title and composition of the song helped coin the term ‘space rock.’ The early days of Pink Floyd, led by Syd Barrett, were steeped in psychedelia, which may have led to his ultimate unraveling. However, the importance of the band’s early music would shape the sound of the late 60s into the 70s.

“Us and Them” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1973

The longest track on Dark Side of the Moon is “Us and Them,” clocking in at over seven minutes long. But it is worth the trip! The way the music passes from one side of your headphones to the other makes it feel like Pink Floyd is inside your head.

Pink Floyd has a knack for creating beautiful melodic music over heavy lyrics. The song itself is about war, racism, and homelessness. There always seems to be an ‘us’ and a ‘them’ in constant friction.

“Run Like Hell” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1979

“Run Like Hell” has the distinction of being the final song recorded by all four original Pink Floyd band members. It is sung by Roger Waters on the band’s opus The Wall.

The lyrics are a nod to ‘Big Brother’ and a fascist government that looks to control you with violence. Even if you want a romantic moment with your girl, you better hide. If they catch you, you better run.

“See Emily Play” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1967

“See Emily Play” was the second release from Pink Floyd’s debut album. The poppy track became a Top 10 hit. Of course, this brush with mainstream commercialism made it one of Syd Barrett’s least favorite songs.

Barrett wrote the song following one of the band’s first important concerts, the Games for May, which marked the opening of Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1967. Despite the uplifting melody and lyrics, having to lip-synch the song on Top of the Pops seemed to mark the beginning of Barrett’s mental decline.

“Breathe” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1973

From the opening heartbeat, “Breathe” is a mellow song that reminds us of our mortality. David Gilmour’s vocals and guitar take us on a dream-like journey into our own existence.

In Dark Side of the Moon, the song reflects the record’s concept of time, insanity, and death. Life can be mundane, but how you live it is what matters. As Pink Floyd likes to point out, we will all end up in the same place one day.